INJURIOUS INSECTS OF* 190J. ' 171 



IMPORTANT NOTICE. 



SENDING INSECTS THROUGH THE MAILS IS PERFECTLY LEGAL. 



While it has been a common practice to send specimens to the 

 Entomologist through the mail, our constituents have been un- 

 aware, probably, that, in accordance with Sec. 494, of the Postal 

 Laws and Regulations, this has been prohibited. 



Largely through the influence of Dr. L. O. Howard, the 

 I'nited States Entomologist, who realized how this would seri- 

 ously interfere with agricultural work, the Postmaster General 

 has amended that portion of the law, as evidenced by the follow- 

 ing order: 



Office of the Postmaster General. 

 Washington, D. C, Dec. 16, 1903. 

 Order No. 1269a. 



Modify the Postal Laws and Regulations, edition of 1902, as follows- 

 Section 494, paragraph i, line 3; omit the word "insects." 

 Section 496. Omit paragraph 7 and insert in lieu thereof the fol- 

 lowing: 



7. Queen bees and their attendant bees, the "Australian Lady 

 Bird," insects (live or dried), and dried reptiles maybe sent in the mails 

 when. so put up as to render it practically impossible that the package 

 shall, be broken -in transit, the persons of those handling the niails 

 injured, or the mail i)ags or their contents soiled. (vSee paragraph i of 

 this section.) 



H. C. PAYNE, 

 Postmaster General. 



It will be seen from this that it is now perfectly legal to send 

 through the mail insects properly inclosed (a tin or wooden box 

 is best), and correspondents are urged to always send specimens 

 of pests doing damage, with letter asking for advice. 



It is verv difficult for an entomologist to discuss a pest which 

 he has not seen, for without a specimen there is always room for 

 some doubt as to what a correspondent is referring to. Postage 

 upon such packages is ic. for each ounce or fraction thereof. 



